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Buchholz returns, Doubront skipped in rotation shuffle

Buchholz returns, Doubront skipped in rotation shuffle

9/8/13: Clay Buchholz, who has been shelved with inflammation in his neck and his shoulder, gives an update on his health and rehabilitation

By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Clay Buchholz, who has experienced the whirlwind this week of completing his Minor League rehab and welcoming the birth of his second child, rejoined the Red Sox on Sunday and completed the final steps necessary to return to the rotation on Tuesday at Tropicana Field against the Rays.

Ryan Dempster will stay on turn and just pitch a day late -- on Wednesday against the Rays. Jake Peavy will complete the three-game set.

Left-hander Felix Doubront, who has struggled lately, will miss his next turn through the rotation.

"As we mentioned before the game, we feel like [going with] the guys who are keeping the game under control," said manager John Farrell. "With Felix, we feel like he needs some added days right now."

Earlier this season, the Red Sox gave Doubront a breather, and he came back to pitch his best stretch of the season until cooling off recently.

"It's going to help," said Doubront. "I've got no problem with that. Skip one start, do more work, rest. This time, [the rest is] good. I feel like I need it. The last start wasn't the same delivery. Just rest a little bit and work in the bullpen."

As for Buchholz, his bullpen session on Sunday went well.

"Everything was good," Buchholz said. "I threw all my pitches. Curveball was probably the sharpest pitch I threw, and that's usually the last one I get the feel for in Spring Training. I threw everything: Cutter, sinker, fastball. It all felt fine."

Farrell said Buchholz would probably throw 75 to 80 pitches on Tuesday.

Buchholz hasn't pitched since June 8 with a right bursa sac strain. He is 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 12 starts this season.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.